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A delicious Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame side by side on a plate.

Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame

The Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame are classic French café sandwiches that combine crispy golden bread, savory ham, rich béchamel sauce, and melted cheese. The key difference between the two is the addition of a fried or poached egg on top of the Croque Madame, adding extra richness. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or a cozy dinner, these sandwiches are a must-try for lovers of French cuisine.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 1 sandwich

Ingredients

For the Croque Monsieur

Bread (Brioche or sourdough) – 2 slices
Ham (Parisian or smoked) – 2 slices
Gruyère or Emmental cheese (grated) – ½ cup
Butter – 2 tbsp
Dijon mustard – 1 tsp
Béchamel sauce – ½ cup

For the Croque Madame (Additional Ingredient)

Egg – 1 (fried or poached)

For the Béchamel Sauce

Butter – 2 tbsp
Flour – 2 tbsp
Milk – 1 cup
Salt – ½ tsp
Nutmeg – ¼ tsp
Black pepper – ¼ tsp

Instructions

Make the Béchamel Sauce

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden
Gradually add milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps
Season with salt, nutmeg, and black pepper
Cook until thickened, then remove from heat

Assemble the Sandwich

Spread Dijon mustard on one slice of bread
Layer with ham and half of the grated cheese
Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on top
Top with the second slice of bread

Cook the Croque Monsieur

Butter the outer sides of the sandwich
Toast in a pan over medium heat until golden brown on both sides
Place on a baking sheet, top with more béchamel sauce and the remaining cheese
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes until bubbly and golden

Make the Croque Madame (Additional Step)

While the Croque Monsieur is baking, fry or poach an egg
Place the egg on top of the sandwich before serving

Notes

For extra crispiness, lightly toast the bread before assembling the sandwich
Use high-quality cheese like Gruyère for the best flavor
Cover the pan while toasting to help the cheese melt evenly
For a variation, swap the ham for smoked salmon or turkey

  • Author: Rita
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan-fried & Baked
  • Cuisine: French

Find it online: https://ritaflavors.com/the-difference-between-croque-monsieur-and-croque-madame/